Loreto Secondary School, Letterkenny 3/2 Ursuline College, Sligo
Geraldine McLaughlin (16, 32, 52) Lauren Boles (25), Emma Hansberry (35)
A spectacular Geraldine McLaughlin hat/trick helped Loreto Secondary School, Letterkenny into the All Ireland School’s Final following a dramatic last four encounter with Ursuline College Sligo yesterday at Finn Park (March 8):
It was the Sligo team who entered the contest the brighter with Lauren Boles striking the ball beautifully only for her effort to sail wide of the upright minutes into proceedings: This was followed shortly after by underage International Emma Hansberry as she spotted O’Donnell off her line: The youngster’s effort was just too high to trouble the Donegal net minder:
The Letterkenny ladies were well prepared for a tough contest as they entered the fray and began to dominate in the Sligo half: Their hard work was rewarded with two conservative corners: The left peg of Nadine Crawford was spectator as her set pieces were excellently executed but the fire power up front couldn’t convert Crawford’s fine efforts:
McLaughlin, an All Ireland Intermediate winner with Donegal in 2010, opened the scoring on 16 minutes, hammering home after the Ursuline defence only half/cleared Nadine Crawford’s corner on the third attempt:
Natalie Sweeney was gifted a great opportunity to double the Donegal lead just two minutes later as her solo run evaded the Ursuline defence: With only the keeper to beat, Sweeney swung her shot wide of Feeney’s right post:
Parity was then restored just 10 minutes later when Lauren Boles climbed unchallenged to head past MB O’Donnell from a delightful Emma Hansberry in/swinger:
Ciara Grant hit the woodwork on 28 minutes after a wonderful pass from Crawford:
Loreto, however, edged back ahead when Crawford and McLaughlin combined once more, the latter capitalising on a moment’s hesitance in the Ursuline defence to gleefully tap home:
But with just a few minutes ‘till the break, Hansberry showed real poise when, after being bundled over right on the edge of the area, the stylish midfielder casually dusted herself down before floating a lovely effort up and over the wall into the top corner:
The second half, similarly full of vigour, was on a knife/edge until a moments brilliance from McLaughlin decided the contest in a flash – the forward volleying a screamer into the top corner from all of thirty/yards:
Winnie Feeney was under severe pressure on the hour mark courtesy of Geraldine McLaughlin’s antics but the Sligo net minder pulled off a trio of saves to deny the Donegal native and keep her team in contention:
Ursuline starlet Hansberry went mightily close to bringing the game to extra/time but another majestic free/kick from the midfielder, instead, crashed off the crossbar and away to safety:
Brid Carr’s team will now have to await the winners of the other semi final fixture which will see Eureka Secondary School, Kells take on Waterford’s St: Angela’s Ursuline Convent in Arklow Town FC on Thursday, March 10 (KO 12 noon):
Loreto SS: MB O’Donnell; Emer Gallagher, Maria Carr, Kaneshia McKinney, Nadine Crawford, Amy Thompson, Lauren Harper, Ciara Grant, Natalie Sweeney, Marian Doherty, Geraldine McLaughlin
Subs used: Alice Diver (Sweeney, 59 mins)
Subs not used: Sadhbha Medlar, Nicola Meehan, Hannah Carr, Rose Boyle, Dara Kelly
Teachers: Michelle Duffy and Bríd Carr
Ursuline College: Winnie Feeney, Avril Clancy, Nicole Fowley, Rachel Monaghan, Aisling Ewing; Emma Hansberry, Lauren Boles, Tracey O’Boyle, Edel Sheerin, Aislinn White, Elaine Finnegan
Subs used: Ellie McCole (Finnegan, h/t), Leah Kerrigan (White, 59 mins)
Subs not used: Caroline McSolan, Shaunagh Brady, Claire Kilfeather
Teachers: Jamie Murphy, Deirdre Cullinane
Referee: Brian Kane